Chennai, June 6: The tradition of releasing water from the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu for the Kharif season’s Kuruvai rice crop on June 12 may be disrupted this year. The dam’s water storage is currently below 50% of its capacity, making the likelihood of a scheduled release on that date very low.
With less than a week remaining until the proposed water release, uncertainty looms among farmers in the Cauvery Delta region. These farmers rely on the water released from the Mettur Dam to begin sowing their Kuruvai crop.
According to officials, the possibility of timely water release now hinges on substantial rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas over the next few days, which could increase inflow into the dam.
As of Thursday, the water level at the Mettur Dam was recorded at 79.86 feet, with 41.81 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water stored. This amount is less than 50% of the dam’s total capacity of 93.45 TMC. Officials indicate that the current water storage is insufficient for a release on June 12 unless there is a significant improvement in weather conditions.
The release of water from the Mettur Dam holds special significance for Tamil Nadu’s agricultural system. This water irrigates approximately 1.6 million acres of farmland across 12 districts, including Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Perambalur.
This water is particularly essential for cultivating Kuruvai, Samba, and Thaladi rice crops. Delays in the release could adversely affect the sowing of the short-duration Kuruvai crop.
In recent years, the timing of water releases from the Mettur Dam has varied based on water storage and flow conditions. In 2022, sufficient water availability allowed for a release in May, while in 2024, low water levels delayed the release until July. Other years have adhered to the traditional June 12 date.
As the southwest monsoon gradually progresses and rainfall increases in several parts of South India, farmers in the Cauvery Delta remain hopeful that inflow into the dam will rise in the coming days.
Officials have stated that the state government will make a final decision on the water release from the Mettur Dam after reviewing water storage, rainfall conditions, and inflow.
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